Stocks were higher on Wall Street in midday trade as the Commerce Department reported that the US trade deficit dropped 2.4 percent in August to $57.6 billion from its July level.
In addition, the Labor Department said that new unemployment claims fell to 308,000 last week, a drop of 12,000 from the previous week.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average was 0.53 percent higher at mid-session to 14,152.99 after rising to a new record of 14,181.36.
The Nasdaq Composite was 0.56 percent higher to 2,827.37, while the S&P 500 was up 0.59 percent to 1,751.71 after rising to a record 1,573.47.
In the retail sector, Wal-Mart (NYSE: WMT) added $1.61 to $47.20 after it issued an improved earnings estimate for the third quarter, saying it will record earnings of between 66 and 69 cents per share, from an earlier prediction of 62 to 65 cents per share.
With a gain in same-store sales, clothing retailer Aeropostale (NYSE: ARO) gained $2.11 to $22.02, while TJX Companies (NYSE: TJX), which owns T. J. Maxx and Marshalls stores, was $1.63 higher to $31.29 after it said same-store sales were up 2 percent in September.
Limited Brands (NYSE: LTD) added 76 cents to $22.34 even though it said it suffered a drop of 4 percent in same-store sales in September.
J.C. Penney (NYSE: JCP) dropped $3.22 to $64.78 on same-store sales that were much worse than had been anticipated, causing the clothing retailer to reduce its third quarter estimate.
Elsewhere, the oil sector saw gains after prices rose on a report that crude oil stockpiles dropped more than expected last week.
ConocoPhillips (NYSE: COP) was up 44 cents to $87.17, while ExxonMobil (NYSE: XOM) added 80 cents to $93.93.